Introduction: Invention of Insulin
Insulin is a type of hormone. This hormone is produced in our body by a gland called the Pancreatic which is behind the stomach in the body. The pancreas is a pinkish gland that is the size of a tongue.
History Invention of Insulin
Who discovered insulin – Insulin was discovered in the 20th century. Earlier diabetes was an incurable disease but with the discovery of insulin its treatment became possible. It was discovered by Canadian scientist Frederick Grant Banting. Frederick was Professor of Human Science at the Canadian University of Human Science.
Frederick found in his experiment that three types of juices come out of the pancreas. These juices digest proteins, starches and extra fats. Frederick performed this test on a dog. He removed the pancreatic gland from the dog’s body and found that the dog was affected by diabetes due to the removal of this gland.
From this experiment, he came to the conclusion that the secret of control of sugar is hidden in the pancreas itself. Professor MacLead, who was a professor at the University of Toronto. He had to go somewhere in those days. Because of this Frederick got the opportunity to experiment in Macleod’s lab.
Frederick Grant Banting’s Experiment
Frederick started the experiments in 1921 with a colleague, Charles Herbert Best. Frederick operated on the dog and tied his pancreatic duct with a catgut. The dog’s stomach was opened after 7 weeks but the experiment failed when the catgut thawed. Frederick was not disappointed with this and started his new experiment.
This time he tied the tube with a silk string. After 4 weeks, he opened the dog’s stomach and saw that the gland was very dry but the dog was not suffering from diabetes. Frederick understood that a secret chemical is being made in the pancreatic gland itself, which does not flow in the duct. This chemical regulates sugar by mixing in the blood.
Frederick made a chemical by extracting that dog’s gland and injected it into a diabetic dog. Due to this experiment on the dog, his sugar level started falling. Through injection, this chemical continued to reach the body of the dog and one day that dog named “Marjorie” was completely cured. It was a miracle in medical science.
Nobel Prize for Discovery of Insulin
There was a cure for the incurable disease diabetes. Frederick Grant Banting also received the Nobel Prize for this discovery. A controversy also arose during the Nobel Prize. Professor MacLeod claimed this discovery was his discovery and that Frederick was his assistant.
Frederick said that MacLead had no contribution in the discovery of insulin. This discovery is mine and best. Frederick refused to accept the award. After this, the Nobel laureates put Frederick in first place and Macleod in second place. Frederick gave half of his Nobel to Best.
Insulin is a revolutionary discovery in medical science and Frederick will always be remembered for his discovery.
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